Film ‘PAY 2 PLAY: Democracy’s High Stakes’ to be shown Oct. 24

PAY 2 PLAY: Democracy’s High Stakes is a film like payola in the music industry by which one pays money to become a player. In this case, it is for much bigger stakes: the United States of America.

Usually, the payer — an individual, business or organization — makes donations to a public official, political party or to a party official and receives political benefits, such as no-bid government contracts, influence over laws being passed in legislatures, sometimes political appointments or nominations, special access and other rewards for the donation.

PAY 2 PLAY follows filmmaker John Ennis’ quest to find a way out from under the Pay 2 Play System. Along the way, he journeys through high drama on the Ohio campaign trail, uncovers the secret history of the game “Monopoly,” and explores the underworld of Los Angeles street art on a humorous odyssey that reveals how much of a difference one person can make.

PAY 2 PLAY will be shown at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 24, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner St., Rockford.